AFJOG

African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology | Volume 2 | Issue 2 | 2024 | 48 African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology | Volume 2 | Issue 2 | 2024 | Abstracts AFJOG ABSTRACTS 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , University of Witwatersrand 2 Department of Anatomical Pathology, University of Witwatersrand Introduction: Peripartum hysterectomy (PH), the surgical removal of the uterus during or shortly after childbirth, is a critical procedure in maternal healthcare. Definitions of PH vary globally leading to challenges in understanding its occurrence. Our study aimed to provide comprehensive insights into PH in a South African(SA) context, investigating indications, demographic characteristics, clinical and histopathological diagnoses, complications, and outcomes. Methods: A retrospective record review study designwas used, focusing on PH cases at a tertiary facility in Johannesburg, SA. The study ran between January 2018 and December 2020. Medical records were systematically examined to identify trends, indications, and outcomes associated with PH. Data collection encompassed demographic characteristics, obstetric history, clinical indications, clinical and histopathological diagnoses, and complications. Data analysis used descriptive statistics, interrater reliability tests and comparative findings with previous SA studies. Results: The study included 56 pregnant women who underwent PH, reflecting a diverse demographic spectrum. Pregnancy-related sepsis emerged as the most common indication, with an 88.8% histopathological confirmation rate. Abnormal placentation and uterine rupture were also common indications. Clinical and histopathological diagnoses exhibited a strong level of agreement (70.9%), emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnostics. We found an evolving landscape of PH indications in our clinical setting, with PRS surpassing historical indications. Conclusion: Our study found a shift in the primary historical indications such as uterine atony and uterine rupture in South Africa, with pregnancy-related sepsis emerging as the primary indication in recent years. Clinical assessment complemented by histopathological findings remains critical for improved obstetric complication management. ABSTRACTTITLE: 48: Iodine deficiency in pregnancy, along a concentration gradient, is associated with increased severity of preeclampsia in rural Eastern Cape, South Africa AUTHORS: Dr Charles Bitamazire Businge CBUSINGE@WSU.AC.ZA Charles Bitamazire Businge 1 , Benjamin Longo-Mbenza 2 , Andre Pascal Kengne 3 1 Walter Sisulu University 2 Lomo University, DRC 3 South African Medical Research Council Introduction: Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in South Africa. Iodine deficiency in pregnancy, which is amenable to correction through iodine supplementation, has been reported to increase the risk of preeclampsia. However, the association of iodine nutrition status with preeclampsia in South Africa has not been studied. Methods: Fifty-one randomly selected normotensive pregnant controls at term together with 51 consecutively selected cases of preeclampsia and 51 cases with severe preeclampsia/ eclampsia all in the third trimester were enrolled from Mthatha Regional and Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The urinary iodine concentration (UIC), serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroxine (FT4) and thyroglobulin (Tg) levels were compared between cases and controls. Results: The median values for normotensive, preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia/eclampsia participants were: age (yrs) 23, 24 and 19 p= 0.001; UIC (µg/L) 217.1,127.7, and 98.8 p=0.005; Tg (µg/L) 19.4, 21.4, and 32.9 p=0.001; FT4 (pmol/L) 14.2, 13.7, and 12.8 p=0.005; FT3 (pmol//L) 4.8, 4.4, and 4.0, p=0.001; TSH (mIU/L) 2.3, 2.3, and 2.5 p=0.661). UIC 20µg/L and FT4 < 12 pmol/L were independent predictors of preeclampsia. Conclusion: Women with preeclampsia/eclampsia had significantly lower UIC and higher Tg, suggesting protracted inadequate iodine intake that was also associated with lower levels of thyroid hormones. Inadequate iodine intake during pregnancy severe enough to significantly lead to elevated Tg and or diminished FT4 was associated with increased risk of severe preeclampsia. ABSTRACTTITLE: 111: Retrospective analysis of Frozen-Thaw Embryo Transfer (FET) cycle outcomes at Tygerberg Hospital AUTHORS: Dr Olebogeng Dikgang dikgangok@gmail.com Olebogeng Dikgang 1 , Denise Sproul 1 , Thabo Matsaseng 1 1 Stellenbosch University Introduction: Frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) is a process that involves the freezing of embryos (cryopreservation) and using them for assisted reproduction technology(ART) treatment at a later stage. A relatively new discovered method used to address infertility. There are several factors that affect embryo implantation and the success of FET cycles, such as endometrium's receptive state, embryo stage and quality amongst other things. This study aimed to evaluate the FET outcomes (live birth rates/clinical pregnancy rates) at Tygerberg Hospital, and the factors that affect the success rates. Methods: The study was a retrospective observational, single-center cohort study. Done at Tygerberg Hospital - Reproductive Medicine Unit. All women who underwent ART with frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) method in Tygerberg Academic Hospital from January 2016 -December 2020 were used as the study population. Clinical records of women who underwent FET during that period were used to collect data. Data were evaluated for live birth rates and clinical pregnancy rates as primary objectives, and miscarriage rate, quality of embryos used, day of transfer, endometrial preparation protocol, and freezing-thaw interval time as secondary objectives.